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Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night

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Engineerlt

Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« on: July 03, 2022, 08:37:05 am »
Hello All
I had noticed that while driving at night it was getting difficult to see the TOAD in the display for the rearview camera. I decided to remove the camera and disassemble it and clean the glass.  I had read where the glass gets a fog on the inside, which I would imagine is from the electronics getting hot and burning in.  There are some fumes generated during this process and they deposit on the glass as they cool do to the temperature differential. Well sure enough the glass had a fog on the inside. I hope you can see it in the pictures.

Removal and disassembly was very easy, there is a 4 pin plug that has a nice rubber sheath that covers it.  So if you remove the camera from the bracket, pull out the grommet, you can gently pull on the wire and get the plug outside of the rear cap.  Then you simply roll back the rubber sheath and unscrew the locking ring on the plug. 

Also if you are interested I found that this camera is made by Convoy Technologies, Model 1000M. I will add that it is very well built which is why they demand such a high price. It also has sound capabilities which I never knew it had.

Here is a link to the info brochure  https://www.convoytechnologies.com/1000   Also emailed Convoy Technologies and they said if you want to upgrade to a camera that is better and with a wider field of view get the 1400A   here is a link to that brochure https://www.convoytechnologies.com/_files/ugd/5ba9fe_31a009142df6443f9e4fdfaeabba8e98.pdf
Very Respectfully
Lance
« Last Edit: July 03, 2022, 12:50:22 pm by Engineerlt »

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stanclem

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2022, 09:43:56 pm »
Lance,
Excellent information!
😎
I was wondering about details on this camera.

Always appreciate your informative posts.

Stan
« Last Edit: July 03, 2022, 09:49:09 pm by stanclem »

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KEB

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2022, 02:43:07 pm »
Hi Lance,

For some reason that rain we had at Mountain Glen RV park got in my camera. Check out the picture. It was dry before that.

Took it apart and let it set for several days inside in the house in the AC to dry out. Reassembled and put sealer around the outside gasket line and edge of glass. Hopefully it will stay sealed.

Kevin

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Engineerlt

Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2022, 04:52:38 pm »
Wow it sure did get wet inside. Did yours have a desiccant bag inside? Mine did and while I was in there I changed it. I had just opened some vitamins and there was one in there so I stuck it in the camera. I then had to touch up my housing it had some corrosion on it. So I cleaned it up and painted it black. I was thinking of just changing it, Amazon has some cameras but they all look very cheap. These cameras by Convoy Technologies are on the pricey side. I guess you get what you pay for. I can say mine has lasted a while right at 5 years without having any issues.  I think yours was a one off, because the build quality is pretty good for these cameras.  The gasket that seals them is pretty nice as well. Like you I would have sealed it with a little silicone etc. I would imagine you wouldn't have anymore issues.
Very Respectfully
Lance

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KEB

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2022, 05:10:20 pm »
There was no desiccant bag in mine.  Maybe it had been apart before??

The desiccant bag would have been a good idea. Wish I had thought of that before it was sealed up and reinstalled.  :'( :'(

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JKSan

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2022, 08:29:05 am »
Lance, you may recall I was parked next to you at Mountain Glen and showed you the condensation in my camera and how frustrating it was.  Well I replaced it with a new one (under warranty).  I took the old one apart and later reassembled it and have kept it outside in the elements to see if it would fog up again.  So far no evidence of moisture.  Never thought about a silica bag but will keep that in mind.

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Engineerlt

Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2022, 12:47:04 pm »
Hey glad they covered it under warranty. Hope all is well, just recouping and doing little projects. Maybe I will see you out on  the road.
Very Respectfully
Lance

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UND_Sioux

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2022, 04:50:34 pm »
How to you access the plug to remove the camera?  I'd like to upgrade mine to a higher resolution unit.  Thanks.

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Engineerlt

Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2022, 05:02:55 pm »
UND_Sioux you have a very new coach for wanting an upgrade already. To access the plug remove the 6 screws securing the camera to the bracket. Then pop out the grommet from the rear cap and gently pull on the wire/cable.  You should end up coming to the plug.  The plug has a rubber sheath over it.  Simply roll the rubber sheath back and you will find a threaded locking ring that secures the female and male plugs together. Unscrew the locking ring and separate the plugs. Your replacement camera should have a 4 pin plug if you plan on using the same wire/cable. I am not sure if you already have a new camera in mind but I do like the Convoy Technologies  1400    https://www.convoytechnologies.com/_files/ugd/5ba9fe_31a009142df6443f9e4fdfaeabba8e98.pdf.  If you have an idea for a good replacement please share as I haven't decided if I am going to up grade yet or not, and maybe your choice is better than mine.

Very Respectfully
Lance

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UND_Sioux

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2022, 07:10:34 am »
UND_Sioux you have a very new coach for wanting an upgrade already. To access the plug remove the 6 screws securing the camera to the bracket. Then pop out the grommet from the rear cap and gently pull on the wire/cable.  You should end up coming to the plug.  The plug has a rubber sheath over it.  Simply roll the rubber sheath back and you will find a threaded locking ring that secures the female and male plugs together. Unscrew the locking ring and separate the plugs. Your replacement camera should have a 4 pin plug if you plan on using the same wire/cable. I am not sure if you already have a new camera in mind but I do like the Convoy Technologies  1400    https://www.convoytechnologies.com/_files/ugd/5ba9fe_31a009142df6443f9e4fdfaeabba8e98.pdf.  If you have an idea for a good replacement please share as I haven't decided if I am going to up grade yet or not, and maybe your choice is better than mine.

Very Respectfully
Lance

Well that's just the thing.  One of my criticisms with PC, is that certain things are not upgraded when they should be.  Case in point.  They take the time to install a $1000 super fancy touch screen Garmin RV radio with all kinds of technology built in, but then the same old low resolution camera is left on the coach.  In fact, the camera that you linked to is not good enough for what I want.  The display on the Garmin is 1280x800 lines of resolution.  That's not quite high definition, but it is OK.  As a comparison, the "rearview mirror" display is only 800x480.  I'd like a high resolution camera.  The backup camera on my previous Jeep Wrangler and the one on my Ram 1500 looks like HDTV in comparison.  Thanks for the instructions.  I'll tackle this when I find a camera that I like. 

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2022, 09:28:26 am »
UND_Sioux

Our 2007 PC-2350 has a 26" TV in the living area that is 720P.  We enjoy watching full length movies on it.  So you can understand why I am fine with our low resolution back-up camera that supports our original 5" monitor that is mounted in the center rear view mirror position.  I do use the backup camera as my rear view mirror when driving, so it is always on when driving.

It is great to read the creativity of PC owners, including your determination to make this feature it's best possible.  I hope you find the perfect high resolution backup camera.

If only I could get the sound working again on our 15 year old Zone Defense backup camera system.  I miss being able to hear my wife's instructions while backing up.  It seems like the system is working, but the tiny hole for the microphone is plugged up.  The problem is....where is the microphone?  Over the years, I have asked many people including Phoenix, but I get no clear answer.  I have searched high and low but cannot find the mic.

I really need to have my wife sit up front in the driver seat while I tap around in back.  I am such a procrastinator with certain things.

BTW:  I think our backup camera could use a good cleaning too.

Our 15 year old backup camera has what looks like a lot of LED bulbs inside it assumed to be backup lighting, but I never noticed them ever working.  Am I alone on that one?
« Last Edit: July 06, 2022, 09:46:14 am by Ron Dittmer »
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UND_Sioux

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2022, 11:39:30 am »
UND_Sioux

Our 2007 PC-2350 has a 26" TV in the living area that is 720P.  We enjoy watching full length movies on it.  So you can understand why I am fine with our low resolution back-up camera that supports our original 5" monitor that is mounted in the center rear view mirror position.  I do use the backup camera as my rear view mirror when driving, so it is always on when driving.

It is great to read the creativity of PC owners, including your determination to make this feature it's best possible.  I hope you find the perfect high resolution backup camera.

If only I could get the sound working again on our 15 year old Zone Defense backup camera system.  I miss being able to hear my wife's instructions while backing up.  It seems like the system is working, but the tiny hole for the microphone is plugged up.  The problem is....where is the microphone?  Over the years, I have asked many people including Phoenix, but I get no clear answer.  I have searched high and low but cannot find the mic.

I really need to have my wife sit up front in the driver seat while I tap around in back.  I am such a procrastinator with certain things.

BTW:  I think our backup camera could use a good cleaning too.

Our 15 year old backup camera has what looks like a lot of LED bulbs inside it assumed to be backup lighting, but I never noticed them ever working.  Am I alone on that one?

Resolution is directly related to distance from your eyes.  At standard definition, the recommended viewing distance is 6x the diagonal screen size.  High definition it is 3x and 4K is 1.5x.  Your 720p TV would look terrible if you were watching it from 12 inches away. 

I too keep the camera screen on all the time.  I think of it like a review mirror.  Based on my seating position, I'm approximately 24 inches away from the upper screen.  It is a 7 inch screen so I should be back at 42 inches for it to look decent.  If it was an HD screen, the distance would be about right.  Any higher resolution than that and your eye would not see the difference.  The center screen is closer to 32 inches from my head.  It is a 10" screen and closer to HD, so the 3x distance is pretty close. 

If PC is going to include a higher resolution display in the center of the dash, then I just don't see why they wouldn't add a higher resolution camera.  The cost difference is negligible. 

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Engineerlt

Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2022, 11:56:20 am »
Hello UND_Sioux
 Your understanding of distance verses resolution etc. exceeds my grasp.  I guess I have never really sat down and put much thought into it. You might say my lack of in depth knowledge directly correlates to my laziness and just wanting to follow the masses. You however are showing me my short fall and making me want to learn more on the subject. I guess I will add that to my list of things I would like to learn more about.

I have however seen another camera from Convoy Technologies that may suit your needs.  Its resolution is 1280 x 960.  It is the 1700 A High Definition camera.  Here is a link to its spec sheet. https://www.convoytechnologies.com/_files/ugd/5ba9fe_bf941290c5cf4ad7b605cd7034e3f63d.pdf

Very Respectfully
Lance

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2022, 02:22:28 pm »
Ron,

My rearview camera is just like Lance's, except white... In his first photo the microphone is visible. There are a part of wires on the left edge of the camera face he is holding in his hand.

So,,,, if you have the same original camera as us, there's your microphone.   And while on the topic I wondered why I heard nothing from the camera as well. I discovered that the camera has a microphone, but the wire (and RCA plug) for the sound stops under the dashboard. It was never routed to my overhead display.

I put it on my to do list to one day finish what phoenix should have connected... LOL... Just one more thing to do.

Larry
Larry

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Rear View Camera Poor Picture at Night
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2022, 09:17:40 pm »
Ron,

My rearview camera is just like Lance's, except white... In his first photo the microphone is visible. There are a part of wires on the left edge of the camera face he is holding in his hand.

So,,,, if you have the same original camera as us, there's your microphone.   And while on the topic I wondered why I heard nothing from the camera as well. I discovered that the camera has a microphone, but the wire (and RCA plug) for the sound stops under the dashboard. It was never routed to my overhead display.

I put it on my to do list to one day finish what phoenix should have connected... LOL... Just one more thing to do.

Larry
I don't believe I have the exact same backup camera.  I will take a picture.
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